Watchcase



June 10. 1924. 1,496,859

A. MAROTTI WATCHCASE Filed Feb. 1, 1923 1'0 F W w J [NVEN T 071'56 a) JZaroZZi Patented June 10, 1924.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR MAROTTI, OF. NEW YORK, N. Y.

WA'I'CKOABE.

Application filed February 1, 1888. Serial No. 618,378.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I ARTHUR MARO'I'II, a citizen of the United tates, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Watchcases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to watch cases and particularly to that form of cases used for wrist watches of the better grade and finest quality.

Watches of this t pe are subjected to unusual exposure, an are therefore liable to injury from dust or other elements, and it has been In object to devise a construction which whi e compact and of artistic appearance will also comprise complete resistance to the entrance of dust to the works, and a transparent covering therefor which will permit of a view of the movement but prevent tampering therewith by inexperienced persons.

The structure consists of a novel combination of four distinct members, viz :--a back cover, a crystal holding member, a rece tacle to hold the movement, and a band a apted to encircle the said movement prior to the inserting thereof in the said receptacle, the said back cover and crystal holding memher being hingedly connected to the said receptacle at opposite sides thereof.

A preferred embodiment of these elements is described hereinafter and shown in the drawings in which Fig. I is a rear elevation of the device with the back cover thrown open.

Fig. II. is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. III. is an enlarged detail view of one end ortion of the device.

Fig. IV. is a detail view in rspectivc of the hand adapted to encircle t e movement.

Fig. V. is a side elevation of the case with the back cover and crystal holding member partially opened.

This construction has been designed particularly for use in cases made from platinum but as is obvious, any other suitable metal can be utilized.

As shown herewith the case is oblong in sha with slightly beveled corners but it could be made of circular or oval shape equall well.

In i I, 10 indicates a peripheral wall provide on its outer surface with an annular band 11 secured thereto in any suitable manner, or formed integrally with the wall, and adapted to enga e snugly with the edges of the rectangu ar flanges on the sides of the crystal holding member 12 and the back cover 13 bothof which are shown hingedly connected to the opposite ends of the band 11 at 14 and 15 1n Fig. II. The wall 10 is also provided with an inwardly turned flange 16 on its upper ed es against which the crystal holdin mem r c oses in snug enga ement. This ange also serves as a stop to imit the insertion of the watch movement into the receptacle, and to prevent the entrance of dust between the inner sides of the wall 10 and the outer side surfaces of the watch movement.

In Fig. IV the band 17 as shown is provided with a narrow inturned flange 18 on its lower edge. The sheet of transparent material 20 accurately cut to fit the contour of the inner sides of the band 17 is ositioned therein on the said flange 18, an the works are then inserted in the band so that the edges of the transparent sheet are tightly grip ed between the works and the flange 18. e band with the works enclosed is then inserted within the walls 10 of the case.

For the said transparent sheet I prefer to use isinglass of a soft, pliable consistency which will ermit of the formation of a very close tig t joint between the works and the said flan 18. As the back cover in this construction is practically always ke t closed, the said transparent sheet is rarey if ever subjected to any rough treatment, and yet fitted and ipped as it is between the flange 18 and t e works all dust is he t out thereby and at the same time the wor are clearly visible at any time when the back cover 13 is swung open.

It should also be noted that the crystal holding member 12 is mounted in such a way that it ma readily be swung open to gain access to t e interior of the case, it having been the custom heretofore to make the crystal holdi member and the body of the case in one piece, especially in the higher and more expensive grades of platinum cases.

I claim 1. In a watch case, a sheet of transparent material covering the back of the works, and a flange formed with the case, the edges of the sheet beingm'gripped between said flange and the wor 2. In a watch case, an inner band, a flange formed with said band, and a sheet of transparent material coverin the back of the works and its edges gripped between said flange and the works.

3. In a watch case the combination of the following elements an intermediate watch movement receptacle; aback cover. hingedly connected thereto; a crystal holding member hingedly connected to the opposite side of the saidreceptacle; a band provided with a flange and adapted to enclose a watch movement;-and a s eat of transparent mate:

rial covering the back of the said watch movement with its edges gripped between said flange and the said watch movement.

4. In a watch case the combination of the following elements: an intermediate watch movement receptacle provided with an inwardly turned flan e on its u per edge; a back cover hinged y connected thereto; a crystal holding member hingedly connected to the opposite side of the said receptacle; a band rovided with a flange and adapted to one ose a watch movement; and a sheet of transparent material covering the back of the said Watch movement with its edges grip ed between said flange and the said watc movement.

Signed at the boron h of Manhattan, in the city, county and gtate of New York this 27th day of January, 1923.

ARTHUR MAROTTI. 

